Sleeping cab



T. DE ROODE SLEEPING cAn May 21, 1935.

Original Filed JunlS, 1924 2 Shee'ts-Shee-t l N! Tri @1- INVENTOR ble d'e Reade W A ORNEY May 21, 1 935.

T. DE ROODE SLEEPING CAR Original Filed Juna 13f 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l: Fig/e dc fiooJe. BY D] ATTORNEY INVENTOR standard open berth sections,

' May 21-, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE;

Y v swarms can 'l'rlmble do ltoode, New York, N. Y.

June

dated December 1, 1981,

13, 1924. lenewed Marsh 20, 1930. Application for reissue August 25,1933, Serial No. 688,809

-32 Claim (Cl. 105-320 This invention relates to sleeping cars in neral, and more especially to standard sleeping cars having the open berth sections.

Among the object's oi the isaimed to ail'ord greater individual privacy for the upper and lower berths, and to iacilitate access to the upper berths. To the aforesaid ends, the present invention more specifically contemplates an arrangement oi curtains with the whereby the occupants oi the upper berths while dressing or undressing behind their curtains are positioned outside of the curtains oi the lower berths and vice versa, whereby the occupants of the lower berths while dressing or undressing behind their curtains are positioned outside the curtains oi the upper berths.

The present invention iurther contemplates the provision of meanswhereby the occupants of the upper and lower berths ol-a section may simultaneously be dressing or undressing while adjacent to their berths without intruding upon one anothers privacy. v The present invention still further contemplates an arrangement of curtains for the upper and lower berths whereby the portion of curtain for an upper berth disposed behind the curtain for the lower berth is secured at the lower extremity to insure the privacy of the occupant of the upper berth, and similarly, the portion oi the curtain oi the lower berth disposed behind the curtain of the upper berth is secured adjacent to the lower edge of the upper berth to insure the privacy of the occupantoi the lower berth.

As another object of the present invention, it is aimed to provide standing room or head room where the occupant of the lower berth may stand erect outside oi the lower berth without intruding upon the privacy of the occupant of the upper berth, and similarly, to provide standing room or leg room where the occupant of the upper berth may stand erect outside of the upper berth without intruding upon the privacy oi the occupant ot the lower berth.

More specifically. the present invention contemplates, the provision .of an individual step formation for each upper berth which preferably forms a permanent part .0! the car and may be moved into operative position for use throughout the night. To this end, the step formation may be variously arranged such for instance as equip--- present invention it identical with one another,

These and other features, capabilities and advantages of the invention will appear from the subioined detail description of certain embodiments oi the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a i'ragmental longitudinal section of a car equipped with one form of the present in- 'vention.

Fig. 2 is a tragmental illustrated in Fi 1.

Figs. 3,4 and 5, are modifications respectively oithe step portions.

plan or the modification Fig. 6 is a iragmental longitudinal section 0! a car equipped with one form of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a iragmental plan showing the modification illustrated in Fig. 6.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is shown as used with a standard car having upper and lower berth sections showing four sections, l, 2, 3 and I, section I being partly broken away.

Since the several sections are substantially homologous parts will be designated by the same reference character and to facilitate an understanding of the invention, the several sections are shown in diiierent stages of conversion from day use to night 7 use, which on account of the identity of the several sections, will at the same time, illustrate the different stages of conversion from day use to night use of each section, section I for instance. being entirely closed up ready for day use: section 2 having only the upper bearth 5 opened up ready for night use without hanging up the curtains, and the step containin housing 5 swung out into opened positionready for night use; section 3 having both the upper and lower berths i and I respectively, opened up ready for night use with the upper curtain t for the upper berth I of such sectlon' hung up in place ready ior night use, and the step containing housing '0 of such section swung out into opened position ready iornlght use; and section 4 having both the upper berth I and the lower berth 1 opened out ready for night use with the upper curtain I for the upper berth 5 and the lower curtain II for the lower berth 1 of said section both hung up ready the step containing housing 6 of such section swung out ready ior night use. In such outwardly swung position, the housing 6, of course, forms a partition between the lower berths and the space or room where the legs of a user may standing on the steps of t, the housing 8 thus forming a be positioned when such housing for night use, and

"Withrespecttothe .toengagethesupportingrod Prom theforegoing, thatthelowerandupperentsmay simultaneously be maintained and used in difl'erentstagesofconversionaccordingtotheuse intended for the same and that the users of the respective compartments and of the aisle may thus be fully and adequately protected and pro- .tected from one another and from users of the aisle berthsofthestandardsleepingcarinusetoday will remain practically unaltered, the invention reiatingmoreorlessdirectlytothecurtainsand the provision ofa step formation for gaining access to the upper berths.

arrangement of curtains. the invention contemplates using one portion oftheeurtainof-eachberthasadivisionorpartition between such berth and the standing room or leg rooin for the other berth, and using the otherportion of the curtain as the door flapfor suchberth. To-this end the invention specifically contemplates providing securing means for securing one portionofthecurtain foraberthtotheupperandloweredxesofaberthtoform thepartition and providingsecuringmeans for securingtheotherportionofthecurtainmerely at theupperend lowerendof such portion mavhanglooselyand form the door flap for such berth,

Asaninstancatheuppercm'tainlissubstantiallyLshapedasshowninFimLihdisprovidedwiththeusualhooksll gitudinallyofthecanandattheupperendsof theupperberthsl. 'Ihepartitionformingportheouteredgeoftheupperberthlandfastened in place by suitable buttons II. The partition portion llasarule'extendsoverahalfora littlemorethanahalfoftheberth. 'lheother portionofthecurtain, l'|,isnotsecuredat its lower edge but is preferably provided withan extendingportionllhangingbelowtheloweredgeoftheupperberthandpartwayoverthe lowerbzrtgtthoaprovidealegcoveringforthe oocupan upper undressing, the unsecured portion in addition thereto serving to facilitate the folding back of this portion II the entrance The curtain II for such as the buttons :2 and suitable button holes whereby the. edges of the slit may be "buttonedtogether to close the upper flap when desired. Thecurtain llhasalateralextension 2! which extends below the lower edge of; upperberthloverwhichtheportion llof uppercurtainloverlapsandthisextensionll'is preferably provided with hooks 23 at itsupper edgetobesecmedtoandbenta'rmmd therod With the modification illustrated in Figs. 1

instance berth when dressing or II and fastened in place by suitable buttons H, such extension 22' forming the partition for the lower berth spacing the lower berth from the leg room for the upper berth. This extension 22', as illustrated in Fig. 1. preferablyextends inside of the step containing housing 0. From the foregoingitwillbeseenthateachcurtainformsa partitionandadoorfiamthecurtainlhaving the partition portion II separating the upper tion portion 22' forming leg room for the occupantoftheupperberthspacingthelower berth from such leg room, disposed between the partition portionfl' and the door flap portion is of the upper curtain 8.

The step containing housing 0 in the present resembles a door member which is pivotedorhingedalongoneedgeasatlltoone edge of the lateral upright end portion 2' disposedatthelateraledgeoftheadjacentback rests of two adjacent seats 21 and II. Por'the purpose of the present invention it is preferable to provide an end portion 28 that extends'substantially to the lower edge of the upper berths I as illustrated in P18. 1. This end portion 20 in the present instance is preferably recessed from its upper edge down to the level of the arm rests ll as shown by the recess 30. The step containinghousingi isprovided with two Ii and 82 each disposed above a step formation 33 and II whereby the step formations II and I extend inwardly into the recesses ti and I2, aifording v agreaterareaasafootsupportfortheoccupant of the upper berth, without forming an unduly extended step projection, 'lhe upper edge of the end portion 2' and theupperedgeof the housing 0 are preferably provided with velvet edsings SI and "for engagement with one another when the housing In swung into closed position, to provide a dustproof closure and at the same time afford a sufliciently silent closure, and the velvet edging a, is provided for yieldable engagement with the curtain extension I! or for silent engagement with the under edge of the upper berth! should the curtain extension 22' be omitted.

Beyond one side of the end portions 28, and in theend board I! oftheseats 21 and", and preferably disposed below the position of the housing [when opened, there is formed a recess II and below the recess I. a step projection ll, whichextends partly outside of the recess it and beyond the end board 81, and partly into the recess II to form an extended supporting area as a foot support to form the first step of the step formation for the occupant of the upper berth.

In Fig. 3, there is illustrated another 'end member generally designated by the reference character ll, the lower portion or end board ll of which is substantially identical with the end board 31 of the end member 88 illustrated in Fig. l, and is'also provided with a recess, disposed above a step projection is substantially identical with the recess 88 and step projection II respectively of the modification illustrated in Fig. 1; Above the end board ll, however, the end portion II has a less altitude than the altitude of the end portion 20 andas illustrated. ls substantially one-half the height of the end portion 28 or just high enough to aiford the formation of a single step I]. This end portion 44 has pivoted thereto a step containing housing. which is recessed at above thestep formation 41, the 7g ilcation. however.

is illustrated which reference character substantially identical having a the height of the end portion 44. In this modi+ the step containing housing consists of a slidable member I provided with a recess 52 and'a step projection It at the lower end thereof. The end portion 0 is provided with a recess 54 slidably to receive the housing member ii, the housing member II when slid out into the position shown in Fig. 4 being ready for night use and when slid into the recess '4 of the end portion 50, being moved out of the way for day In Fig.5 there is illustrated still another form of end member, which is generally designated by the reference character 5!. This end member has a portion 6' which has substantially the same height as that of the end portion a illustrated in Fig. 1. In this modification, Fig. 5, however, the end portion" is provided with a plurality of recesses. to wit, the two recesses I1 and it below which there are formed the step projections 50 and" respectively. Below the step projection I, the end board it is recessed as illustrated at Oi having a step projection 01' at its lower end. In the form illustrated in Pig. 5. the step formations are fixed relative to the end member 55 and assume the same position for day use as for night use. However, when the end end member I! there erly to position the step formations IO. Cl and 62 to facilitate access to the upper berth from such step formations. it is desirable slidably to mount the end member II, for instance on a track N, the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 5 showing the position of the endmember it when in day use and the full line position illustrating the position of the end member I when ready for night use.

In Figs. 6 and I the berths are illustrated in staggered relation to one another with the upper berths overlapping the lower berths. with which arrangement, thecurtains and, step formations are provided, according to the present invention. that is, an arrangement of curtains and step formations is provided whereby head room is pro- .vided for the lower berth spaced from the upper berth, for use of the occupant of the lower berth inthe courseof dressing andundressing.andleg room is provided for the occupant of the upper berth, spaced from the lower berth without intruding upon the privacy of either berth.

Inl'lg.6 theupperberthstlaresubstantially standard in construction, of theseats it and I1 and consequently of the compartments usable as lower berths, generally designated by the reference character I, are also berth. The end portion.

illustrated and low end portion '5. similar in height to I form the partitions between andthearrangement lower edges of the upper berths staggered relation. the end poroftheupperberths andconsequentlywhen provided with step formations, the end portions I! are proper position for access to the upper from the step formations, without providing' any movable step formations, such as those required for the modification illustrated inl'lg. l. The end portions 6! are substantially identical with the end vided with two recesses Ii and I! with step projections l3 and 14 extending from the lower edges of such recesses Ii and II respectively, and the end boards ll of the end members provided with the recesses II disposed below the step projections I4 and having step projections 11 extending from the lower edges of the recesses 16.

In this modification, the upper berths are provided with two curtains II and I! which are provided with hooks O. at their upper ends adapted to be secured to the supporting rods Ii extending along the upper edges of the upper berths I. The curtains I! and 19, have the narrow end portions if and I8. respectively which the headroom for the lower berths. As an instance, the narrow portions If and adjacent to one another at adjacent ends of successive upper berths together form the partitions between such adjacent ends of the upper berths and the head room for the lower berth disposed therebelow. I These narrow portions 82 and 83' up substantially to the middleportions 5! of the end members illustrated in Fig. 5. that is prothe upper berths and may be secured in place on the'rods I more or lea tightly. fimctioning as they do, as partitions. The remaining portions or elongated portions 84 and II of the curtains II and 1s respectively, however, hang loosely; with their lower ends projecting down and extending below the lower edges of the upper berths ti, preferably to form a covering for the leg room of the occupants of the uppercompartments. These portions 84 and II of a curtain preferably overlap one another and are provided with suitable fastenin means such as the buttons ll cooperating with suitable button holes. It may also be desirable as illustrated in Fig. 6. that suitable fastening means such as buttons 01 be provided on the edges of the upper berths l to cooperate with button holes formed in the curtains II and .19, in the door flap portions I4 and I! of the curtains l8 and 1!. I

The upper berths I as illustrated in Fig. 6, preferably have their ends I. rounded whereby a recess is formed between adjacent rounded portions I to form head room for the occupant oi the lower berths. such rounded portions as co l erating with the partition portions l2 and I to form partitions between such head room and the with the elonportionlaandinlengtbegtendfromtherods between the lower berths and leg flaps for the entrance and egress of the .occu-.-

pantsof the lower berths, each slit having an overlapping portion" 3 provided with button holes to receive the buttons 14 formed in the portion ll of the curtain It disposed below such overlapping portion 91.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made to the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim: V 1. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of step formations for the upper berths associated with the end members of the. lower berths,- and forming partitions room for the users of the upper berths.

2. In a sleeping car,.the combination withup:

' per and lower berths, of step formations for the upper berths, curtains cooperating with the step formations to form partitions between the leg room for the lower berths.

3. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of step formations for the upper berths associated with the end members of the seats for the lower berths, such step formations comprising step containing housings pivotally connected to the end members, there being recesses formed in the step containing housings and step projections associated therewith. v

4. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of step formations for the upper berths associated with the end members of the seats for the lower berths, such step formations comprising step containing housings pivotally connected to the end members, there being recesses formed in the step containing housings and step projections associated therewith, and there being recesses in the end members to accommodate the step projections when the step containing housings are folded against the end members for day use.

5'. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of end members for the lower berths, step formations for the upper berths associated with the end members of the lower berths, each step formation comprising a step containing housing movable to a position adjacent to the middle of the upper berth.

6. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of end members for the lower berths, step formations for the upper berths associated with the end members of the lower berths, each step formation comprising a step containing housing movable to a position accesusers of the upper berths andthe vsible to the middle of the upperberth.

7. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of step formations for the upper berths, each step formation being movable from a position adjacent to the end of the berth where it is disposed during the day to a position adjacent the middle of the berth for night use.

8. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of end members for the lower berths, step formations for the upper berths integral with said end members, each step formation being movable longitudinally of il.Inasleeningcar,thecombinatiouwithupper and lower berths, of step formations for the upper berths intesrsl with the lower step formation being movabls'from a position to a usable position relativeto the 10. The combination with a sleeping ear ubl thereof, and a series of fixed itebs l j of the-section for accessto the superposed 11. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of end members for the lower berths, and step formations in said end .membsrs for the upper berths, said end members being movable into usable and non-usable position for the step formations, I

12. In a sleeping car, the combinationwith upper and lower berths, of end members for the lower berths, and step formations in said end members for the'upper berths, said end members being movable longitudinally of the berths to position the step formations.

13. The combination with a sleepins car double seat section having end members including arm rests disposed alongside an aisle, of a superposed berth, steps for said superposed berthex-'- tending downwardly of the side of the berth ad- Jacent an end thereof to and below the level of an arm rest adjacent said end, means partitioning said steps fromsaid double seat section, anda curtain for said superposed berth having an openable portion above said steps and having another portion extending laterally of said steps which is substantially fixed in place alongside said berth, the openable portion cooperating with said steps in facilitating seems to and from said superposed berth, and the substantially fixed portion cooperating with the openable portion and' the steps to restrict such access other than by wayof the steps.

14. The combination with a sl ping car double seat section having end members including arm rests disposed alongside an aisle, of a superposed berth, steps for said superposed berth extending downwardly of the side of the berth adjacent an end thereof to and below the level of an arm rest adjacent said end, a curtain for said double seat section having a portion cooperating with said steps and said arm rest to partition said .double seat section from the legs ofusers of said steps and having another portion extending laterally of said steps toward the other arm rest, such latter portion being adapted to allow a user of the double seat section to encroach upon the aisle between said arm rests while behind said latter portion but cooperating with said former portion to restrict such user from intruding upon the availability of said access to and from said superposed berth.

. 15. The combination with a sleeping car having upper and lower berth spaces disposed alongside an aisle, of steps for each upper berth space disposed alongside the aisle side of a lower berth space adjacent an end thereof, a partition for said upper berth space having an openable por-'- tion above said steps for cooperationtherewith to facilitate access to and from said upper berth space by way of said steps and having another portion extending laterally of said steps which issecuredalongside theberthoftheupperberth space for restricting such way of said steps. and a partition for said lower berth space having an openable portion disposed laterally of said steps for facilitating access to and .fromsaid lower berth space and having another portion extending laterally thereaccess other than by,

non-usable steps for substantially from ofthe such upper compartments and with a rearwardlv the side of the aisle to the side wall oi the car, such seats facing each other and being spaced apart for affording access therebetween to and from said aisle, steps for facilitating access between said upper compart- I ments and said aisle, such steps being recessed I such steps being each from said aisle into said row of compartments and being each disposed adjacent the backs of a forwardly facing seat of one lower compartment and the rearwardly facing seat of another lower compartment, and means including devices disposed laterally of said steps and between said aisle and portions of said upper and lower compartments for restricting access to said upper compartments laterally of their respective steps and for restricting access to said lower compartments adjacent said steps. a

1'1. In a car, the combination of a longitudinally extending aisle, a plurality of upper and lower compartments disposed alongside of and in individual access with said aisle, each lower compartment being overlapped by end portions of two upper compartments and being provided with a forwardly facing seat beneath one of such end portions and with a rearwardly facing seat be-- neath the other of such end portions, such seats facing one another and being spaced apart for affording access between such lower compartment and said aisle, steps for facilitating access between said upper compartments and said aisle, disposed adjacent the backs of the forwardly facing seat of one lower compartment and the rearwardly facing seat of another lower compartment, and means including devices disposed upwardly of said seats and between the aisle and the end portions of such upper compartments .for lodgment from said end portions.

and said device, means disposed adjacent members for facilitatin such ac-' astep disposed at or the lower berth and a step extendins upwardly into enof said end cess, such means including below the level of structure races protection against dis upper berth dividing lower compartment for of the upper berth lying between said gagement with the of the side thereof, or said structure and standing such device and structure flxedly maintained in spaceroman beingadaptedtobe saidpositionduringnisht thereof,

for conversion to day use by closing the upperberth and forming the lower berth into a pair of confronting seats, each adjacent one of said arm rests, in combination with standing space disposed alongside said berths, supportin means ceiling of the car, a device for protection against dislodgement from said upper berth into said standing space, such device extending upwardly from the side of said upper berth to said supporting means and being spaced from an end of said berth'to afford access from said standing space tdsaid berth by way of the portion of the side thereof between said end and said device, a series of steps for facilitatingsuch access, such steps starting from a lower level than the level of one of said arm rests, means for supporting said steps and said latter arm rest including a structure extending up to and in engagement with the side of the upper berth at the saidportion of the side thereof, and means for partitioning said structure and standing space from an aisle.

20. In a car, the combination of a longitudinally extending row of longitudinally disposed upper berths alongside an aisle, upper and lower compartments respectively above and below said upper berths, each upper berth having a flight of steps extending downwardly thereof along the aisle side of a lower compartment, a partition enclosing each upper compartment from the aisle and having an openable portion above said flight of steps for cooperation therewith to facilitate access between said upper compartment and the aisle and having a secured portion laterally of said openable portion for restricting such access other than by way of said flight of steps, and a partition enclosing each lower compartment from the aisleand having an openable portion laterally of said flight of steps for affording access between said lower compartment and the aisle and having a secured portion between said flight of steps and the lower compartment for enclosingsuch lower compartment from said flight of steps and restricting such access other than laterally of said flight of steps.

21. In a car, the combination of a longitudinally extending row of sections alongside an aisle,

each section having a longitudinally such section into an upper and a lower compartment and having a flight of steps disposed alongsidethe aisle side of said affording access between said upper compartment and the aisle and partitions enclosing said compartments from each other and from the aisle, the portion of said partitions along the aisle side of the'upper compartment having an openable portion above said flight of steps for cooperation therewith to facilitate such access and having a secured portion laterally of said openable portion for restricting suchaccess other than by way of said flight of steps, the portion of said partitions along the aisle side of thelower compartment having an openable portion laterally of said flight of steps for affording access between said lower compartment dinally such partitions having ment.

posed lower berth seats, one of the end members for enclosing restricting access directly beneath the openable portion affording access to the upper compart- 22. In a car, the combination of a longitu dinally extending row of sections alongside an aisle, each section having a longitudinallydisposed upper berth dividing suchsectioninto an upper and a lower compartment having partitions disposed in a substantially vertical positi n directly alongside said upper berth and cooperating therewith to enclose said compartments from each other and from said aisle and having a flight or steps secured al ng t eaisle side of the lower compartment, the portion of the partitlons alongsidethe upper compartment having'an openable portion above said steps for cooperating therewith to aflord access between said upper 23. In a car, the combination oi a longituextending row of convertible sections alongside an aisle, each sectionhaving a longitudinalLv disposed upper berth dividing such section into an upper and a lower compartment, the lower compartment having a longitudinally diswhen converted for night use and having a' pair of confronting seats each within an end portion thereof when converted for day use, each section being provided with-end members of each section terminating upwardly along at least a portion thereof at about theside of the upper berth for aifording an entrance to the upper compartment above said portion of the end member and having a flight of steps secured thereto and partitherebyfrom the adiacentmost seat and end portion of the lower compartment, each section having partitions cooperating with said end the upper and lower comother and from the aisle. an openable portion above said flight of steps for aflord access between the aisle and the upper compartment through the entrance thereof, and having an openable portion laterally of said flight of steps for ail'ording access between the aisle and the lower compartment through the entrance thereof.

24. In a car, the combination of a longitudinally extending row of sections alongside an aisle, each having an upper berth and a convertible lower compartment-having a lower berth when converted for night use and having aforwardiy facing seat in its rear portion and a rearwardly facing seat in its front portion when converted for day partments from each use. the aisle side of said sections having partitions each partitioning each two adjacent sections, such partitions being spaced apart along the central portion of each section for affording an entrance thereto between its seats, each partition having a movable portion terminating upwardly along at least a por. tion thereof at about the side 0! the upper berth for aifordingacceas thereto above such portion and having an associated flight of steps disposed alongside an end portion of the aisle side of the lower compartment and partitioned therefrom by such movable portion, such movable portion being movable to a position alongside another portion of such partition extending alongside an adjacent section for affording the former section greater exposure to the aisle than aiforded by the entrance thereof.

25. In a car, the combination of a longitudinally extending row of sections alongside an aisle,

each having an upper and a lower berth, a flight of steps disposed along an end portion of the,

aisle side of the lower berth space, and a partition being movably secured for disposal alongside an adjacent section for afl'ording greater access,

' disposed between said flight of steps and the lower, berth space of one section, such partition compartment, and a partition therefor, such flight of steps being openable and closable for use or non-use in aflording access between the upper berth and the aisle and such partition including a portion extending upwardly to the upper berth and partitioning the lower compartment from the flight of steps both when opened, and when closed for maintaining privacy between said lower compartment and the flight of steps.

27. In a car, the combination of a plurality of sections alongside an aisle, each section having an upper berth, a lower compartment, a structure including a flight of steps disposed along the aisle side of the lower compartment, and partitions for enclosing the section from the aisle, such partitions having a certain portion between said flight of steps and the lower compartment for aiiording privacy therebetween and having an openable portion above said flight of steps for co-. operation therewith to facilitate access between the upper berth and the aisle, such openable portion extending downwardly of the upper berth along the aisle side of said certain portion and when unopened enclosing a portion of said structure extending upwardly of said steps between said certain and openable portions to within reach of an occupant of the upper berth to control said flight of steps, said flight of steps being open-. able and closable for use and non-use.

28. In a car, the combination of a plurality of. sections alongside an aisle, each section having an; upper and a lower compartment, a flight of steps disposed along the aisle side of the lower compartment, and partitions enclosing the coinpartments from each other and from the aisle, such partitions having a certain portion between said flight of steps and the lower compartment for aflording privacy therebetween and having an openable portion above said flight of steps for cooperation therewith to facilitate access between the upper compartment and the aisle. such openable portion extending downwardly along, the aisle. side or said certain portion and when unopened enclosing an upper step of said flight of steps for vated enclosure ior thelegs oi a person immediatelyt entering or leaving said upper compart- 29. In a car, the combination with a plurality sections alongside an aisle, each section having an upper berth, a lower compartment. a flight 0! steps movable into usable and non-usable position and being anchored in proximity to the upper berth along the aisle side oi the lower oompartment'in position to be moved into usable position by an occupant oi the upper berth. and a partition including a portion extending upwardly to theupper berth and partitioning the lower compartment irom the flight oi steps both posed in non-usable position ior maintaining privacy between said lower compartment and said flight oi steps.

30. In a car, the combination oi a plurality oi sections alongside an aisle, each section having an upper berth openableto divide such section into an upper and a lower compartment, such lower compartment having a pair oi confronting seats each within an end portion thereoi, a flight oi steps disposed along the aisle side oi the lower compartment ior aiiording access between the upper compartment and the aisle, and partitions disposed along the end portions 0! the aisle side oi the section iorpartitioning said seats from the aisle, one oi said partitions being disposed wardlythereoi to engagement with the upper adiacentmost seat and a user oi said flight oi steps, said partitions and flight oi steps being supported independently oi said upper berth ior enabling such upper berth to be closed while such partitions and flight oi steps are maintained in place ior partitionlng' said seats irom the aisle.

31. In a car having a longitudinal aisle, the

combination oi a row oi lower compartments superposed by a row 0! upper berths individually oi, such berths when open or closed respectively decreasing or increasing the head room at the lower compartments, each berth when open and ready ior usehaving a flight oi steps extending mess when disposed in usable position and when dis-- behind the flight oi steps and extending upberth when opened to aflord privacy between the openable and closable ior use or non-use there-' downwardly oi the central portion oi the aisle side thereoi, such flight oi steps being individual to such berth and being disposed directly alongside the aisle side oi a lower compartment in anchored relation to such berth during night use thereoi, such berth also having devices extending upwardly oi the aisle side thereoi including an openable portion above said flight of steps for cooperation therewith in aflording access between said berth and the aisle and including secured portions each disposed laterally oi said openable portion ior restricting said access other than byway oi said flight oi steps, such devices being movable ior enabling said upper berth to be closed. v

32. In a car having a longitudinal aisle, the combination oi a row oi lower compartments superposed by a row of upper berths individually openable and closable ior use or non-use thereoi, such berths when open or closed respectively decreasing or increasing the Lead room oi the lower compartments, each berth when open and ready for use having a flight oi steps extending downwardly oi the central portion oi the aisle 'slde thereoi, such flght oi steps being individual to such berth and being disposed directly along side the aisle side oi a lower compartment in anchored relation to such berth during night use thereoi, such berth also having a partition extending upwardly oi the aisle side thereoi including an openable portion above said flight oi steps ior cooperation therewith in affording access. between said berth and the aisle and including portions each secured to an end portion oi the aisle side oi such berth ior restricting said access other than by way oi said central portion and flight oi steps, and each lower compartment having a partition ior partitioning such compartment from a flight oi steps and a user thereoi, such partition being disposed between such lower compartment and such flight oi steps and extending upwardly into engagement with the central portion oi an upper berth when said berth is open ior use, said berth being disengzgoeeadble thereirom ior enabling said berth to be cl 'I'RIMBLE n: Boone; 

